Books and Readers

Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are now republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork. Preface: It will be remembered that to the celebrated Mrs Battle whist was a business, a duty, the thing that she came into the world to do. But even Sarahs vigorous and determined spirit desired and sought some relaxation. She unbent her mind afterwards, says Elia, over a book. In this particular she is by no means alone, for it must be admitted that books serve merely for diversion to very many readers, and that all the fine talk-of which there has been much-about the ministry of literature is unable to kindle a solitary spark of fervour in their breasts. Such readers know well enough what they want from a book. They desire to fill a vacant half-hour to lose themselves and their troubles to steal a holiday from disquieting thoughts or from the necessity of thinking to enter a new world by the shortest route. Knowing exactly what they require, they refuse to take more. They do not seek moral uplift or mental improvement, nor have they any hankering after intellectual gym- nastics. Reproaches will not shame them, and they remain unmoved by pious exhortation. Philistines and low-brows they are content to remain, and all the sermonizing in the world will not disturb their equanimity. This is hard fact attested by every bookstall and circulating library. We must admit, too, that the use of literature as an anodyne is, within reasonable limits, not only legitimate, but beneficial. If it is a drug, it is more innocuous than any in thepharmacopoeia. It has all the advantages of an opiate without any unpleasant consequences. It provides relaxation that entails no harmful reactions upon the community....